Crew Reviews, Ratings & Info for Da-Dan-Xia

In a significant development on April 21, 2023, Colombian authorities cleared the cargo ship 'Da Dan Xoia' to set sail again following its detention for illegally transporting a staggering 100 tonnes of explosives destined for Cuba. The prosecutor's office revealed that despite the ship's release, the captain remains in custody as investigations proceed into the circumstances surrounding the shipment. A judge in Cartagena sanctioned the vessel's departure after nearly two months of legal proceedings, citing a lack of resources on the part of Colombian authorities to safely handle the explosives discovered on board. The 'Da Dan Xoia' was apprehended on February 28, 2023, upon arrival in Cartagena, where inspectors uncovered not only the large cache of explosives but also approximately 2.6 million detonators, 99 projectile heads, and around 3,000 cannon shells. Initially, the crew presented documents indicating the vessel was merely transporting grain. Representatives from China's Foreign Ministry have since stated that the ship was engaged in the routine transport of military supplies to Cuba, reflecting ongoing trade and military cooperation with the communist nation, and asserted that no international laws were breached. The arms manufacturer, Norinco, designated as China's largest defense company, was identified as the producer of the cargo, while the recipient in Havana was named as Tecnoimport, a known importer of military defense equipment.

In a significant maritime operation, Colombian authorities have apprehended the captain of the freighter 'Da Dan Xia' in Cartagena, charging him with arms trafficking. The incident unfolded when officials discovered an alarming cache of munitions, including 100 tonnes of gunpowder and around 3,000 artillery shells, hidden among other materials onboard. The captain, identified as Wu Hong, a Chinese national, was taken into custody following the unexpected find during an inspection on February 28. In total, the authorities uncovered 100 tonnes of explosive powder, approximately 2.6 million detonators, 99 projectiles, and 3,000 cannon shells, all of which had not been declared in the ship’s cargo documents. Instead, the crew presented documentation that inaccurately listed the contents as chemicals and spare parts. This misrepresentation raised suspicions, leading to a detailed inspection of eight shipping containers. Following the ship's inspection, Wu Hong is scheduled to appear before a judge in Cartagena on March 4. The 'Da Dan Xia,' which was originally headed for Barranquilla before ultimately going to Havana, is owned by a company that claims to import machinery and industrial goods. Interestingly, the crates aboard were marked with the name Norico, identified as a Chinese firm specializing in machinery, chemical products, and high-tech defense items. This incident underscores a growing concern regarding unregulated arms trafficking in maritime activities and poses serious implications for international trade security.

On Wednesday, China's foreign ministry addressed the detention of a vessel in Colombia accused of unlawfully transporting arms. The ship, identified as Da Dan Xia and operated by Cosco Shipping Co Ltd, was said to be engaged in 'normal trade cooperation.' According to ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying, the vessel was en route to Cuba carrying standard military supplies, emphasizing that it did not breach any international regulations. The Da Dan Xia was intercepted on Saturday at the northern port of Cartagena, located on Colombia's Caribbean coast, where the arms were discovered during a routine inspection. — Reuters